Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for wireless communications in a mesh network, at a first device, comprising: receiving, during a directed forwarding discovery procedure to establish a path between the first device and a destination device, a first path establishment message from a second device along the path, wherein the first path establishment message comprises a handover address of a third device along the path; storing the handover address of the third device in a forwarding table entry associated with the second device; determining a handover condition has been satisfied; encrypting a path handover message based at least in part on a routing credential of the first device; and transmitting the encrypted path handover message to the third device based at least in part on the satisfied handover condition and the forwarding table entry, wherein the encrypted path handover message comprises path forwarding information associated with the second device.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: transmitting a second path establishment message to a fourth device along the path, wherein the second path establishment message comprises a handover address of a fifth device along the path.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the handover condition has been satisfied further comprises: identifying a load balancing parameter has exceeded a threshold based at least in part on a number of forwarding entries included in a forwarding table, wherein the determination that the handover condition has been satisfied is based at least in part on the identification that the load balancing parameter has exceeded the threshold.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining to move away from the network, wherein the determination that the handover condition has been satisfied is based at least in part on the determination to move away from the network.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: identifying a low battery condition, wherein the determination that the handover condition has been satisfied is based at least in part on the low battery condition.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a path handover acknowledgment from the third device; and dropping from the mesh network based at least in part on the received path handover acknowledgment.
A method for managing device transitions in a mesh network involves a first device establishing a communication path with a second device through a third device. The first device monitors the communication path for disruptions, such as signal degradation or link failures, and detects when the path becomes unreliable. Upon detecting an issue, the first device initiates a handover process by identifying an alternative communication path to the second device, either directly or through another intermediary device. The first device then sends a path handover request to the third device, which relays the request to the second device. If the second device approves the handover, it sends a path handover acknowledgment back through the third device. Upon receiving this acknowledgment, the first device disconnects from the mesh network, effectively dropping its connection. This method ensures seamless transitions in mesh networks by coordinating path changes and confirming successful handover before terminating the original connection. The approach improves network reliability by minimizing disruptions during device transitions.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining a handover timeout has expired, wherein the handover timeout is based at least in part on the transmitted encrypted path handover message.
A method for managing wireless network handover operations involves securely transferring communication sessions between network nodes. The method addresses challenges in maintaining seamless connectivity during handover, particularly in encrypted communication environments where traditional handover mechanisms may fail due to encryption obfuscating path information. The method includes transmitting an encrypted path handover message containing encrypted path information to a target network node, enabling the target node to prepare for the handover without decrypting the message. Additionally, the method monitors for a handover timeout, which is determined based on the transmitted encrypted path handover message. If the timeout expires, the method triggers corrective actions, such as aborting the handover or initiating a fallback procedure. This ensures reliable handover completion even when encryption prevents direct path verification. The method may also involve generating the encrypted path handover message by encrypting path information using a shared key or a public key infrastructure, ensuring secure transmission while allowing the target node to verify the path's validity. The timeout mechanism prevents indefinite waiting, improving network efficiency and user experience.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a first path request message from a fourth device along the path; transmitting a second path request message to the second device based at least in part on the received first path request message; and receiving the first path establishment message from the second device based at least in part on the transmitted second path request message.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the encrypted path handover message is transmitted to the third device based at least in part on a routing credential of the first device.
A method for secure communication in a network involves transmitting an encrypted path handover message between devices. The method addresses the problem of securely transferring communication paths in a network where devices may need to hand over connections while maintaining security. The encrypted path handover message ensures that the transfer of communication paths is protected from interception or tampering. The method includes transmitting the encrypted path handover message to a third device based on a routing credential of a first device. The routing credential is used to determine the appropriate path for transmitting the message, ensuring that the handover is both secure and correctly routed. The first device may be a source or intermediary device in the network, and the routing credential may include information such as device identifiers, network addresses, or cryptographic keys. The encrypted path handover message may contain session keys, authentication tokens, or other data required to establish or maintain a secure communication path. The method ensures that the handover process is seamless and secure, preventing unauthorized access or disruption of the communication path.
10. An apparatus for wireless communications in a mesh network, at a first device, comprising: a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive, during a directed forwarding discovery procedure to establish a path between the first device and a destination device, a first path establishment message from a second device along the path, wherein the first path establishment message comprises a handover address of a third device along the path; store the handover address of the third device in a forwarding table entry associated with the second device; determine a handover condition has been satisfied; encrypt a path handover message based at least in part on a routing credential of the first device; and transmit the encrypted path handover message to the third device based at least in part on the satisfied handover condition and the forwarding table entry, wherein the encrypted path handover message comprises path forwarding information associated with the second device.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: transmit a second path establishment message to a fourth device along the path, wherein the second path establishment message comprises a handover address of a fifth device along the path.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to methods and apparatus for managing path establishment and handover in a network. The problem addressed is the efficient and reliable transmission of data along a communication path involving multiple devices, particularly during handover operations where a device transitions from one network node to another. The apparatus includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The instructions enable the apparatus to transmit a first path establishment message to a second device along a communication path, where the message includes a handover address of a third device along the path. This allows the second device to establish a communication link with the third device, facilitating seamless data transmission during handover. Additionally, the apparatus can transmit a second path establishment message to a fourth device along the path, where this message includes a handover address of a fifth device. This ensures that subsequent devices in the path are aware of the next handover point, maintaining continuity in data flow. The apparatus may also receive path establishment messages from other devices, allowing it to update its routing information and adjust the communication path dynamically. This dynamic adjustment helps optimize network performance and reduce latency. The invention improves network reliability and efficiency by ensuring that all devices along the path are aware of the next handover address, minimizing disruptions during transitions.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the instructions to determine the handover condition has been satisfied further are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: identify a load balancing parameter has exceeded a threshold based at least in part on a number of forwarding entries included in a forwarding table, wherein the determination that the handover condition has been satisfied is based at least in part on the identification that the load balancing parameter has exceeded the threshold.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: determine to move away from the network, wherein the determination that the handover condition has been satisfied is based at least in part on the determination to move away from the network.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to apparatuses and methods for managing network handover in mobile devices. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and reliable handover decisions when a mobile device moves away from a network, ensuring seamless connectivity and minimizing service disruptions. The apparatus includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The instructions enable the apparatus to monitor network conditions and determine whether a handover condition is satisfied. The handover condition is based on factors such as signal strength, network load, or device mobility. If the handover condition is met, the apparatus initiates a handover to another network or cell to maintain connectivity. A key aspect of the invention is the determination to move away from the network, which influences the handover decision. This ensures that the handover is triggered proactively when the device is leaving the network's coverage area, rather than waiting for signal degradation. The apparatus may also consider additional criteria, such as the availability of alternative networks or the device's current activity, to optimize the handover process. The goal is to enhance user experience by reducing connection drops and latency during transitions between networks.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: identify a low battery condition, wherein the determination that the handover condition has been satisfied is based at least in part on the low battery condition.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to apparatuses and methods for optimizing handover decisions in mobile devices based on battery status. The problem addressed is inefficient handover decisions that may lead to unnecessary power consumption or service disruptions when a mobile device's battery is low. The apparatus includes a processor and memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the device to monitor battery levels and determine handover conditions. If a low battery condition is detected, this factor is used to influence handover decisions, ensuring the device prioritizes connections that minimize power consumption or maintain service stability. The apparatus may also evaluate other handover conditions, such as signal strength or network load, but the low battery condition is a key factor in the decision-making process. This approach helps extend battery life and improve user experience by avoiding unnecessary handovers when battery levels are critical. The invention is particularly useful in scenarios where mobile devices need to balance power efficiency with network performance.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive a path handover acknowledgment from the third device; and drop from the mesh network based at least in part on the received path handover acknowledgment.
16. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: determine a handover timeout has expired, wherein the handover timeout is based at least in part on the transmitted encrypted path handover message.
17. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive a first path request message from a fourth device along the path; transmit a second path request message to the second device based at least in part on the received first path request message; and receive the first path establishment message from the second device based at least in part on the transmitted second path request message.
18. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the encrypted path handover message is transmitted to the third device based at least in part on a routing credential of the first device.
19. An apparatus for wireless communications in a mesh network, at a first device, comprising: means for receiving, during a directed forwarding discovery procedure to establish a path between the first device and a destination device, a first path establishment message from a second device along the path, wherein the first path establishment message comprises a handover address of a third device along the path; means for storing the handover address of the third device in a forwarding table entry associated with the second device; means for determining a handover condition has been satisfied; means for encrypting a path handover message based at least in part on a routing credential of the first device; and means for transmitting Flail the encrypted path handover message to the third device based at least in part on the satisfied handover condition and the forwarding table entry, wherein the encrypted path handover message comprises path forwarding information associated with the second device.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising: means for transmitting a second path establishment message to a fourth device along the path, wherein the second path establishment message comprises a handover address of a fifth device along the path.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically addressing the challenge of seamless handover between devices in a network path. The apparatus includes a mechanism for transmitting a second path establishment message to a fourth device along a communication path. This message contains a handover address of a fifth device, which is another node along the same path. The handover address enables the fourth device to redirect or forward communications to the fifth device, facilitating efficient and uninterrupted data transfer during handover processes. The apparatus also includes means for receiving a first path establishment message from a third device, which may contain a handover address of a second device. This allows the apparatus to establish and maintain communication paths with multiple devices, ensuring continuity when devices move or change roles within the network. The system is designed to optimize handover procedures by pre-configuring addresses and paths, reducing latency and improving reliability in dynamic network environments. The invention is particularly useful in scenarios where devices frequently change their positions or roles, such as in mobile ad-hoc networks or IoT deployments.
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February 9, 2021
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